Downhole rotating machine having compliant radial bearings

Abstract

The invention provides a downhole rotating machine having a compliant radial bearing system. The compliant radial bearings in accordance with the present invention utilize a variable dimension fluid chamber between adjacent components in the bearing system. These variable fluid chambers may be defined by elastomeric members, such as o-rings. The dimension of the variable fluid chamber as well as the fluid therein serves to dampen vibration and mechanical shock to bearing components. This vibration and shock dampening facilitates the use of ceramic components within the bearing system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A downhole rotating assembly for use in a subterranean well environment, said downhole rotating assembly comprising: a first assembly;   a second assembly, said first and second assemblies cooperatively arranged for relative rotation; and   a bearing assembly cooperatively associated with said first and second assemblies for facilitating said rotation, said bearing assembly having a plurality of members, comprising, a bearing housing operatively engaging said first assembly,   a bearing sleeve operatively engaging said second assembly, and   a bearing bushing disposed between said bearing housing and said bearing sleeve,   wherein one of said bearing assembly members is operatively associated with a resilient member to at least partially define a fluid chamber, said fluid chamber also being at least partially defined by an adjacent surface of another member selected from the group of said bearing assembly members and said first and second assemblies, said fluid chamber having a variable dimension to facilitate relative movement between said bearing assembly member and said adjacent surface.     
     
     
       2. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 1, wherein said fluid chamber is cooperatively defined by a plurality of resilient members operatively associated with said bearing assembly member. 
     
     
       3. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing assembly member at least partially defining said fluid chamber comprises an aperture to provide fluid communication to said chamber. 
     
     
       4. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing sleeve is formed of a ceramic material. 
     
     
       5. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 4, wherein said ceramic material is silicon carbide. 
     
     
       6. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing bushing is formed of a hard metal. 
     
     
       7. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing bushing is formed of a ceramic material. 
     
     
       8. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 1, wherein said fluid chamber is formed between said bearing bushing and said bearing housing. 
     
     
       9. A downhole rotating machine for use in a subterranean well, said downhole rotating assembly comprising a first assembly; a second assembly, said first and second assemblies cooperatively arranged for relative rotation, said second assembly including a shaft member; and   a bearing assembly cooperatively engaging said first and second assemblies for facilitating said relative rotation therebetween, said bearing assembly comprising, a bearing housing operatively associated with said first assembly, said bearing housing having a generally cylindrical internal diameter,   a bearing sleeve operatively associated with said second assembly, said bearing sleeve having a generally cylindrical exterior surface, said bearing sleeve adapted to cooperatively engage said shaft member of said second assembly, and   a bearing bushing disposed between said bearing housing and said bearing sleeve, said bearing bushing having a generally tubular configuration,   wherein fluid chamber is formed between two adjacent members selected from the group of said shaft, said bearing sleeve, said bearing bushing, and said bearing housing, said fluid chamber also being partially defined by at least two resilient members placed between said selected two adjacent members partially defining said fluid chamber.     
     
     
       10. The downhole rotating machine of claim 9, wherein said bearing sleeve is formed of a ceramic material. 
     
     
       11. The downhole rotating assembly of claim 9, wherein said chamber is formed between said bearing sleeve and said shaft member, and wherein said resilient members are located between said bearing sleeve and said shaft member. 
     
     
       12. The downhole rotating machine of claim 11, wherein said bearing sleeve includes an aperture to provide fluid communication to said fluid chamber. 
     
     
       13. The downhole rotating machine of claim 9, wherein said fluid chamber is formed between said bearing housing and said bearing bushing, and wherein said resilient members are located between said bearing housing and said bearing bushing. 
     
     
       14. The bearing assembly of claim 13, further comprising means for providing fluid communication from the exterior of said bearing assembly to said fluid chamber. 
     
     
       15. A compliant bearing for use in a downhole rotating assembly to facilitate relative rotation between a shaft and a housing member, comprising, a bearing sleeve suitable for engaging said shaft member;   a bearing housing suitable for engaging said assembly housing;   a bearing bushing extending between said bearing housing and said bearing sleeve; and   a plurality of generally resilient members operatively associated with the internal surface of said bearing housing, said resilient members engaging said bearing bushing to cooperatively define a chamber between bearing bushing and said bearing housing.   
     
     
       16. The bearing assembly of claim 15, further comprising means for providing fluid communication from the exterior of said bearing assembly to said fluid chamber. 
     
     
       17. A compliant bearing for use in a downhole rotating assembly to facilitate relative rotation between a shaft and a housing member, comprising, a bearing sleeve suitable for engaging said shaft member;   a bearing housing suitable for engaging said housing member;   a bearing bushing extending between said bearing housing and said bearing sleeve; and   a plurality of generally resilient members operatively associated with the external surface of said bearing bushing, said resilient members engaging said bearing housing to cooperatively define a chamber between said bearing bushing and said bearing housing.